Today is expected to be another scorcher, with high temperatures and high humidity again pushing the heat index to over 120 degrees, and that has certainly created some challenges for local golf courses. Along with making it difficult for players to tolerate the heat, watering has become a full-time priority.

Both of Pella’s golf courses recently held a tournament this weekend, and Pella Golf and Country Club manager Chris Konop says that a lot of work by his groundskeeper has help keep the course in very good condition, despite the blistering summer sun.

“We’ve been watering, and the greens are [looking] phenomenal,” says Konop. “Dan’s been working a lot – a lot of overtime hours – and we’ve been spending a lot on water, but it’s looking really good right now.”
Across town at the Bos Landen Golf Club, General Manager Scott Reuter agrees that while it’s been a constant battle to stay on top of watering, his course has remained in prime form.

“It’s a struggle for everyone. It’s funny to look at the course and see what areas have double-coverage for water, what areas have single-coverage, and what areas just don’t have much coverage,” says Reuter. “The good news is that there aren’t many areas that don’t have coverage, so the course [Bos Landen] is in excellent shape.”

Both of Pella’s courses and others in the area may get a little help from nature today, as thunderstorms are in the forecast for the afternoon.